Although there is excellent talent all over the New York Knicks roster, they are far from a finished product because of their severe lack of center depth. Throughout the offseason, the most talked-about issue surrounding this club has been how to replace the loss of Isaiah Hartenstein. However, with the regular season drawing near, it is still feasible to make a deal either before or during the season.
The Knicks are reportedly going to be closely monitoring Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. Williams had a knee ailment that needed season-ending surgery last season, limiting his playing time to just six games. Windhorst stated, “Any team looking for a center is going to watch Robert Williams closely this year” (via X via KnicksMuse). I’m not sure how Robert Williams fits in after they selected Donovan Clingan and have Deandre Ayton, who is probably not very tradeable, on the team. The Knicks, I believe, will be one of the clubs keeping an eye on him.
Like Mitchell Robinson, the starting center for New York, Williams is a superb defensive player who has been plagued by injuries. Only once in his career has he participated in more than 60 games; it was during the 2021–22 campaign, when he averaged 2.2 blocks per game and helped the Boston Celtics win the NBA Finals. During that season, only Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies averaged more blocks. Given his lengthy history, trading for Williams would be a high-risk, high-reward transaction for the Knicks because injuries are just too unpredictable. He would, however, address a number of their worries and provide them with a reliable big man to round out the squad.
Starting five players Robinson, OG Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges make the Knicks a formidable defensive unit already. Williams would provide their second unit with a player of All-Defense caliber, and it is reasonable to believe that he would only thrive under head coach Tom Thibodeau, who places a strong emphasis on having an influence on that end of the court.
